Discussing the song's subject matter in 1996, Eels frontman E said, "Part of my problem is with intimacy. 'Novocaine for the Soul' sounds detached because it's about detachment. That's what I think is so great about that song, and on that level I think it's almost genius. It's detachment personified. I'm singing about numbness and I'm numb. It's about having too much feeling."
Ah the memories. I think this was literally the only song I knew from them as we had those alternative hits CDs that were collections of different bands. So I never got to explore their other music.